A poor start from the home side eventually proved their undoing as they fell to the Lockmen in the Keyway Classic.

2-0 down inside the opening ten minutes at a soaking wet Queen Street gave the Steelmen a mountain to climb and whilst they pulled one back through Dan Elwell the second goal just would not come.

Ben Holden saved a penalty just before half-time to keep the score at 2-1 and when the visitors were reduced to ten men with around 20 minutes to go it seemed it would be an all out assault on the Willenhall box.

Lewis Archer was denied by the keeper and saw another effort flash across goal with Todd Perry also seeing an effort come back off the post and with a couple of headers high, wide and handsome, Bilston generated enough opportunities to pull level.

That said, the visitors also struck the post late in the first half and saw an effort from close range somehow lifted over the bar but it was left to the referee to have the final say over a tough local derby in poor weather.

Todd Perry and Luke Davies were both dismissed along with former Bilston player Jamal Pinnock after a scuffle in the centre of the pitch – with most people unaware who had done what, it was left to the match officials to determine just which players will now make a contribution to the FA’s Christmas Party fund and saw the last 5 minutes played with just 9 a side.

The final game of 2016 is at Black Country Rangers next Saturday before a return to Queen Street in January.

A big thank you to all who donated to the food appeal, your kind donations will make a huge difference to those in our community who need our help and support at this time of year.

Article taken from Bilston Town’s official Facebook account. (C) Bilston Town Community

Another outstanding display from Bilston again yesterday against a very physical, direct Shifnal side.

Once again, despite coming from behind on three occasions to share the spoils, three points would have been a fair return rather than the one we actually got but we emerge from a seriously tough run of away games with a six point haul, which everyone should be proud of, both players and supporters.

Bilston started brightly, with some attractive football creating a couple of good openings, one was saved, the other wide but it was evident that we had the ability to open this defence up while, in contrast, Shifnal offered little but long or high balls into the area, hoping their physical presence would reap rewards.

Frustratingly, exactly that ploy saw them take the lead, against the run of play, with a deep cross from the right resulting in a header at the back post looping over Ben to nestle in the net.

Bilston continued to take the game to Shifnal, with Roland causing chaos every time he ran at them, and from being stopped by a scything tackle that resulted in a free kick and caution we got the deserved equaliser. Ross took the kick and, with everyone geared up for a far post ball, he played a low ball to the near post where Todd Perry had made the run and his flick outfoxed everyone to level the scores.

With half time approaching, and the game getting ever more frenetic, Shifnal grabbed a second, another high ball into the box was again converted and, though their tactics were a mixture of basic and brutal, it appeared to gain them the advantage with us going in at half time trailing 1-2.

We were back on level terms virtually straight from the restart with Roland opening the defence with a perfect pass for Jayden to get in behind and he calmly slotted past the advancing keeper.

Now it was all Bilston with both Roland and Billy denied by great saves from the keeper but he eclipsed even those stops with an unbelievable save from Jake Pain’s goalbound header, with Jake already wheeling away to celebrate when he somehow clawed it to safety.

Shifnal were now getting ever more desperate in their challenges and it was no surprise when they were reduced to ten men when their six feet five striker tried to pick a fight with our four foot six Rivaldo – brave that?!

Shifnal again took the lead when a long looping cross dipped onto the crossbar and deflected back into play, falling kindly for them to net a third but, again, the new found determination saw The Steelmen roll up their sleeves and when Jayden again linked up with Roland to open up the defence, a third equaliser was never in doubt, and never more deserved.

Once again, a committed, gritty display – not short of quality, against an ugly antagonistic opposition (especially their captain’s haircut!) and every lad can reflect on a full shift with pride as, once again, our wonderful travelling Orange Army were rewarded for their incredible support by a display that matched their pride in this wonderful football club.

A huge week ahead now with a trip to Newcastle Town in the Staffordshire Senior Cup on Tuesday night, followed by the Keyway Classic next Saturday when Willenhall provide the opposition – see you there.

Article taken from Bilston Town’s official Facebook account. (C) Bilston Town Community